Hoots, hollers and cat calls came from the audience as fashion forward teens cavorted down the catwalk for a night of fundraising and just plain fun. Ridge High's Junior Class, the Class of 2011, presented "Project Ridge RUNWAY" last night at the Ridge Performing Arts Center (PAC).
This event is one of the major student fundraisers of the year. Led by parent co-chairs Danette Quinn and Judy Linton, over 100 students participated as either models or behind the scenes working on makeup, hair, props and music.
"This is mainly a fundraiser," stated Deb Duvall, Ridge High PTO President, "but these kids are having a ball. They didn't realize who much fun they would have. They really put their own personalities into it."
In the PAC foyer, attendees perused various tables displaying donations for the Basket Raffle and Silent Auction. Sandy Scott coordinated the donation efforts and displays. "Families got together and donated themed bags. Businesses in town donated as well." The top two premium donations for the evening? A $800 college counseling package and a $600 designer dog bed.
Contributing largely to the success of the evening were the local retailers who provided the clothing the teens modeled: BaseCamp, BCBG, Cache, House of Jawi, Le Fashion Cottage, Nan Romano, Red Toad, the Ridge Booster Club, Seraphina, The Sports People and Tuxton Tuxedo Rental. Three local restaurants donated refreshments: Bella Burgers, Copper Kettle and Venetos.
The program featured four fashion groupings: Winter break - lots of snowboarding and skiing apparel, BR Chic - Dressing for a night out, Ridgeywood - Red carpet attire, and Spring Break - warmer weather wear.
Proceeds from the event will support the Junior Prom, scheduled for April 26, and next year's Senior events including the Senior Prom, Senior Night and Project Graduation. In addition, the junior class will donate $1 from each ticket sold to the American Red Cross for the Haiti Relief Fund.
While it was great to see the various fashions, the real entertainment of the evening were the "fashion models." Perhaps it was the guise of different clothing or the shades and hats, but the student models hammed it up with abandon; posing, blowing kisses and adding a few little sassy dance steps here and there. Lots of charisma, lots of panache. The audience loved it.
